HUMILITY CREATES JOY (Outline)
October 7, 2007 -
PENTECOST 19 -
Philippians 2:1-5
INTRO: Today’s verses are an excellent example of divine teaching conflicting with worldly wisdom. The wisdom of God is foolishness in the eyes of the world. This is known as a paradox. A paradox is a statement that seems contrary to common sense. Our world would not think that humility creates joy. Who can be humble and happy? This is the truth God would have us learn and enjoy today.
Consider the example of Paul’s life earlier. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. He did not like it. He did not want it. Paul prayed to God 3 times for the removal of this thorn in the flesh. God’s answer was not really what Paul was expecting. "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me"(2 CORINTHIANS 12:9). A paradox: Paul would be strong in weakness. Paul knew that in his human weakness his strength would be in the Lord alone. Strength in weakness is a paradox – but it is also God’s truth. Joy in being humble is also God’s truth for us. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct our understanding as we consider
HUMILITY CREATES JOY. We will:
I. Discover this truth in Jesus, and;
II. Display this truth to others.
I. DISCOVER THIS TRUTH IN JESUS
A. The apostle Paul was in Rome, in prison and in chains. Even in this situation God’s word went out.
1. Though Paul was bound God’s word was still freely preached.
2. Paul’s message from God to the Philippians was to be like Christ, verse 5.
B. To have the attitude of Christ meant to be humble. (This is clearly revealed in verses 6-11).
1. Jesus humbled himself and became obedient – even obedient to death, death on a cross!
2. These believers, and Paul, learned humility from the humility Jesus displayed while on earth.
C. Paul now lists the gifts that belong to believers because of Jesus’ sacrifice and humility, verse 1.
1. The word if is used here in the sense of since with the conclusion in verse 2 – then.
2. If (since)…then make joy complete by having the same attitude of Christ Jesus, humility.
D. There was no man who has ever lived more powerful than Jesus. There was also no man more humble than Jesus. By faith we learn, know, and believe in the power of the humility of our Savior. This is a paradox. The creator of the heavens and the earth lived and died and rose again to save his creation. Jesus’ disciples struggled with power and service. They argued who was the greatest among them. Jesus knew their thoughts. He taught them by example. In the upper room, Jesus stripped down, knelt down and washed his disciples’ feet. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"(MARK 10:45). The humility of Jesus would bring joy to the world.
E. Jesus’ humility was and is the powerful strength to save mankind. Christ became poor so that we would become rich. The eternal, saving power of Jesus is clearly seen in the humility of his death on the cross. In chapter 53, Isaiah describes that by his wounds we are healed! A paradox – wounds that heal. Willingly and humbly Jesus did his Father’s will for us who did not do our heavenly Father’s will. "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth"(ISAIAH 53:9). Jesus was innocent, we were not – but now are.
F. The world scoffs at this truth. Jesus is always under attack by those who feel he was nothing more than a good teacher. Even Allah admits that Jesus was a prophet. But Jesus was more, far more. By his life, death and resurrection we learn that this humility brings salvation and thus, great joy. At times this truth can be hard to grasp. By faith through grace we know, believe, and can confess this divine truth that flies in the face of human reasoning and common sense. We believe by God’s grace and power as he opens our eyes to see the truth. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"(HEBREWS 12:2). Jesus found joy in enduring the cross, and that for us!
HUMILITY CREATES (OR COMPLETES) JOY.
We discover this truth in Jesus’ humility.
II. DISPLAY THIS TRUTH TO OTHERS
A. Again, please remember that Paul is in Rome, in prison, and in chains. Paul is alone but not lonely.
1. Paul knew that God’s purpose was higher and greater for him than he could imagine.
2. Paul knew that God was with him, always and all of the time.
3. Paul could and would still preach to his visitors, especially the unbelieving authorities.
B. In all of this Paul’s encouragement in verse 5 would echo in his words and in his actions.
1. Paul wanted his believing visitors to hear and to see his joy in the midst of his humiliation.
2. The believers were to remember God’s gifts and their unity with him by faith, verse 2.
C. The faith that united these believers to God also united them to one another.
1. True Christian faith did away with all pride and ambition and selfishness, verse 3.
2. Believers would live lives of humility. This truth was important enough to be repeated, v. 4.
D. As believers we have grown to love and appreciate the humble sacrificial living of Christ, our Savior. We have come to realize that the life of Jesus serves as an example for our daily, Christian living in this sin-darkened world. In a boastful, proud, and selfish society the joy of humility needs to shine even more brightly. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven"(MATTHEW 5:16). Notice that Jesus says the world is to see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. The world is not to praise you and not even your good deeds. May this humble, joyful light of Christ always shine in you and through you to others.
E. Of course, the Scriptures tell us how we let the light of Christ shine in us and through us. It takes a mature faith to understand how humility brings joy. When we wonder we are to fix our eyes on Jesus and be reminded of his example. We then remember Jesus’ willing sacrifice. Our response is our faith-filled privilege and opportunity and joy to walk in his example. How? "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody"(ROMANS 12:16,17). These words are a paradox once again. The world wants us to think that only I am important.
F. This section also is intertwined with the teaching of the unity of believers. These early Christians had the unity of faith that came from the singular truth that Christ had lived, suffered, died, and rose again so that they too would live with him forever in heaven. That basic truth has not changed. Some have tried to change it, cover it up, or even ignore the facts. A large church body sums up it’s teaching by saying that we agree to disagree. This may be fine in the world but not in God’s church. We cannot disagree about Christ’s resurrection. Another church body boldly proclaims that we do not believe the same thing but we are wide open. Sorry, that will let darkness in when there is only room for light. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin"(1 JOHN 1:7). God’s word is truth, always is, not what some think is true.
CONC.: Scripture teaches many paradoxes. There is strength in weakness. The first will be last and the last will be first. There is joy in humility. Humanly thinking and worldly wisdom consider this foolish. God tells us this is his truth. HUMILITY CREATES (COMPLETES) JOY. Believers discover this truth in Jesus and with humble joy display this truth to others. "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love"(EPHESIANS 4:1,2). Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
WORSHIP SER.: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min.,
& SUN – 9:30am @ Church & 12:00pm @ NCF Medium
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am
on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
PENTECOST 19 readings:
AMOS 6:1-7;
1 TIMOTHY 6:6-16;
LUKE 16:19-31
(PSALM 146)
